The Politics Room: Pete Buttigieg on Trust, Freedom, and Democratic Values

Dr. Bennett: "Good evening, everyone. I'm Dr. Marcus Bennett, and welcome to The Politics Room. Tonight, we're honored to have former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joining us. His path has been quite remarkable—from serving as Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, to becoming a presidential candidate in 2020, to serving as Secretary of Transportation in the Biden administration. Secretary Buttigieg is also a veteran who served in Afghanistan, a Rhodes Scholar, and author of the book 'Trust: America's Best Chance.' Welcome, Secretary Buttigieg."

Buttigieg: "Thank you, Dr. Bennett. It's a pleasure to be here in Ann Arbor. Michigan has become home for me and my family, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have this conversation."

Dr. Bennett: "Let's begin with your personal journey. You grew up in South Bend, Indiana, attended Harvard, became a Rhodes Scholar, served in the military, worked as a consultant, returned to become mayor of your hometown, ran for president, and then served in a presidential cabinet. How has this diverse background shaped your political philosophy?"

Buttigieg: "My journey has given me the opportunity to see America from many different angles. Growing up in the industrial Midwest, I witnessed firsthand both the promise of the American dream and the pain when that dream falters. I saw what happened to South Bend when the Studebaker plant closed in 1963—years before I was born, but the city was still dealing with the aftermath when I was growing up."

Buttigieg: "My time at Harvard and Oxford broadened my perspective intellectually, but my military service in Afghanistan was perhaps the most formative experience. There, I worked alongside people from every conceivable background—different races, religions, regions, political views—united by a common purpose and that flag on our shoulders. It taught me about trust in a profound way—trusting people with your life even if you just met them because there is no alternative."

Buttigieg: "As mayor, I learned that good governance isn't about grand ideological statements but about making sure the water is clean, the streets are plowed, and the community is safe. And in my time as Transportation Secretary, I saw both the enormous potential and the significant challenges of implementing policy at the federal level."

Buttigieg: "All of these experiences have led me to a political philosophy centered on freedom, security, and democracy—correctly understood. By that, I mean freedom that includes not just freedom from government overreach but also the freedom to live a dignified life. Security that encompasses not just military strength but economic and climate security. And democracy not just as a set of procedures but as a way of life that affirms the equality and dignity of every person."

Dr. Bennett: "In your book, you wrote extensively about trust as a central challenge for American society. Five years later, do you believe the crisis of trust has improved or worsened? And what does a path forward look like?"

Buttigieg: "I'm afraid the crisis of trust has only deepened. We've seen further erosion in Americans' trust in institutions, in each other, and in the basic functions of democracy. When I wrote that book in 2020, I was concerned about the fraying of social and institutional trust, but I remain even more concerned today."

Buttigieg: "The path forward requires rebuilding trust at multiple levels. First, in government—by delivering tangible results for people. When government works—when it fixes roads, ensures clean drinking water, delivers services efficiently—people's trust increases. That's why implementation—the unglamorous work of making policy actually function in people's lives—is so important."

Buttigieg: "Second, we need to rebuild trust in information. In an era where people can choose their own facts, we need to strengthen institutions that help establish a common understanding of reality. This isn't about everyone agreeing on everything, but about having shared sources of information that are reliable."

Buttigieg: "And third, we need to rebuild interpersonal trust. That's why I believe so strongly in national service—bringing together Americans from different backgrounds to work on common projects. It's also why I've spent time in spaces that aren't traditionally receptive to Democrats, appearing on Fox News or on podcasts that reach audiences that might not share my political views."

Dr. Bennett: "You've mentioned the importance of appearing in spaces that aren't traditionally receptive to Democrats. Can you elaborate on why you think that's important?"

Buttigieg: "We're living in an era where our information is increasingly pre-sorted. I take out my phone, and all I see are people I already agree with saying things I already agree with, or people I already disagree with looking foolish, or doing something I don't like. That's the rage-bait, clickbait phenomenon."

Buttigieg: "We have to find ways to cut across that. That's why I've made it a point to appear in conservative spaces like Fox News or on podcasts that reach audiences who might be getting information from sources that aren't subject to the editorial standards of a newspaper. That makes it all the more important to get in there and present a different way of looking at things."

Buttigieg: "But just as important are the conversations that happen offline—human beings being around each other. It sounds like the most basic thing, but it's increasingly rare. When I served in Afghanistan, I was in conversations with people with radically different politics and racial and economic backgrounds. Sometimes it felt like the only thing we had in common was that flag. But precisely because of that, we got to understand each other better. We need to seek out those opportunities for connection in our neighborhoods, faith communities, and rooms like this."

Dr. Bennett: "Let's take a question from the audience."

Audience Member: "Secretary Buttigieg, you've spoken about American values and patriotism in ways that sometimes sound different from other progressive Democrats. Could you explain how you view American exceptionalism and why you think it's important for Democrats to embrace patriotic language?"

Buttigieg: "I believe deeply in the American project. When I think about what makes America exceptional, it's not that we're inherently better than other nations or peoples—that kind of exceptionalism I reject. What makes America exceptional is our capacity for self-correction, our ability to confront our darkest demons and come out stronger for it."

Buttigieg: "I often tell the story of driving my children—my son and daughter are three years old now—and my daughter pointed to a flag outside a supermarket near our house and said, 'Papa, American flag.' I was impressed that she recognized it, and we started talking about its nicknames—the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, the Star-Spangled Banner."

Buttigieg: "She knows what the flag is, but she doesn't yet know what it represents. When she and her brother are old enough, I'll tell them what it was like to salute that flag, what it was like to have that flag velcroed to my shoulder when we went outside the wire in Afghanistan. I'll tell them about the handful of times as an officer that I had the solemn duty of taking that flag, handing it to someone, and saying, 'On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Navy, and a grateful nation, I present you with this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's faithful and honorable service.'"

Buttigieg: "I'll tell them about the values that flag represents, about the incredibly rich, inspiring, and yes, very complicated story of everything that has happened under that flag and in the name of that flag. And I'll tell them that what makes America great is not something we dust off by saying the word 'again'—what makes America great is its ability to wrestle with its darkest demons and come out stronger and better for it."

Buttigieg: "I think progressives need to reclaim the language of patriotism because love of country is not the exclusive property of conservatives. Loving America means wanting it to be better, wanting it to live up to its highest ideals."

Dr. Bennett: "You've spoken about freedom, security, and democracy as guiding principles. How do you define these concepts, and how do they inform your policy positions?"

Buttigieg: "These principles are at the core of my political philosophy, and they haven't changed since I was running around Iowa five or six years ago."

Buttigieg: "Freedom means not just freedom from overbearing government—something we should be able to join hands with progressives, conservatives, and libertarians on—but also freedom to live a dignified life. When the president thinks he can send someone to another country or shut down the broadcast license of a TV station because he doesn't like what it has to say, that is not freedom. But freedom also means the ability to start a small business without worrying that a health condition will bankrupt you, or to leave a job you hate to pursue a better opportunity without losing your healthcare. That's why I believe restoring freedoms like a woman's right to choose is so essential."

Buttigieg: "Security encompasses traditional national security but goes beyond it. When the leader of the United States considers taking a $400 million jumbo jet as a gift from a foreign government, that makes us less secure. But security also means economic security, healthcare security, climate security. And it means honoring those who serve not based on their gender identity but on their performance. We will be more secure when we honor those who serve no matter who they are, who they love, or how they identify."

Buttigieg: "Democracy is the most important thing about our country, and our country is the most important democracy in the world. Democracy isn't just about elections; it's about a way of life that affirms the equality and dignity of every person. What makes America America is that the American people bow to no king."

Dr. Bennett: "How do these principles translate into specific policy areas, such as healthcare or climate change?"

Buttigieg: "On healthcare, I believe we need to move toward universal coverage, but I've advocated for what I call 'Medicare for All Who Want It'—creating a strong public option that would provide quality, affordable coverage to anyone who chooses it, while allowing those who prefer their private insurance to keep it. This approach respects freedom of choice while ensuring everyone has access to care."

Buttigieg: "On climate change, I see this as both a security issue and a freedom issue. Climate disruption threatens our security—from coastal communities facing rising seas to Midwestern farms facing unpredictable weather patterns. But addressing climate change also creates opportunities for freedom and prosperity through clean energy jobs and innovation. That's why I've advocated for major investments in clean infrastructure, research and development, and a carbon fee and dividend that would put money back in Americans' pockets while creating market incentives to reduce emissions."

Audience Member: "Secretary Buttigieg, you've been critical of the Trump administration's actions regarding issues like habeas corpus and due process. Can you explain why these issues are important to you and how they relate to your core principles?"

Buttigieg: "Our most important rights and freedoms are safe if and only if they apply across the board. Just as freedom of speech isn't freedom of speech if it's only for speech we agree with—it's precisely with disagreeable speech that we prove we really mean it when we say freedom of speech—the same principle applies to the rule of law."

Buttigieg: "When the administration says, 'Oh well, this guy, you know, he's a criminal,' the whole point is that no one person, least of all no one politician, gets to decide that you're a criminal. Who decides? We have a process, we have laws—that's what due process is. You're not a criminal because the head of the government of the country you live in says you're a criminal. If that's the way it works, we are not a nation of laws."

Buttigieg: "The whole Constitution points to a way of making sure that we give people due process, that we count on that due process. It involves probable cause and a jury of your peers. You shouldn't have to be a lawyer to know that due process is afforded to everybody, because it is through that due process that our society can make decisions, including challenging decisions about what happens to you if you are in fact held to be in violation of the law."

Buttigieg: "This is not a normal Democrat-Republican fight. When a senior White House official is seeking to end habeas corpus, I have to ask: where are the libertarians right now? I have libertarian and conservative friends who oppose the Clean Air Act because they think government doing too much is tyranny. Well, if you think the Clean Air Act is tyranny, what do you have to say when they're talking about getting rid of habeas corpus?"

Dr. Bennett: "Let's talk about your economic vision. How do you think about issues like income inequality, the changing nature of work due to automation and AI, and building an economy that works for everyone?"

Buttigieg: "I believe we need to build an economy where prosperity is shared much more broadly than it is today. The post-World War II order—international and domestic—is gone, or at least it will be by the time we're done with the current administration. And the truth is, it's been a while since it was really keeping up with the realities of the 21st century."

Buttigieg: "We need to present answers in accordance with our values on how to make sure government can actually get stuff done, actually work, be more user-friendly, and deliver. That means some tough conversations on our own side about how we get in our own ways sometimes with government."

Buttigieg: "I think we are underreacting to technologies like artificial intelligence. For all the problems that technology can create, it can actually create a future where we're working fewer hours and have more money in our pockets. But that won't happen automatically—it means making sure that the incredible gains that come from that technology are shared with the American people instead of just taking somebody from being worth $200 billion to $400 billion."

Audience Member: "Can you be more specific about how we ensure those technological gains are shared?"

Buttigieg: "Absolutely. First, we need to invest in education and training so workers can adapt to technological change rather than being displaced by it. This includes making college more affordable and expanding apprenticeship programs and other non-traditional pathways to good careers."

Buttigieg: "Second, we need to strengthen labor protections and collective bargaining rights so workers have the power to demand their fair share of productivity gains. The decline in union density has coincided with the decoupling of productivity and wages, and that's not a coincidence."

Buttigieg: "Third, we need a tax system that ensures the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share. When I ran for president, I proposed raising the top marginal tax rate, equalizing the tax treatment of capital and labor income, implementing a wealth tax, and closing loopholes that allow corporations to avoid taxes."

Buttigieg: "And fourth, we need to consider new models of distributing the benefits of technological progress. This could include things like universal basic income, baby bonds, sovereign wealth funds, or other ways of ensuring that technological advancement benefits everyone, not just those who own the technology."

Dr. Bennett: "During your time as Transportation Secretary, you oversaw the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. What lessons did you learn about effective governance and the role of public investment?"

Buttigieg: "The infrastructure law was a generational investment in America's roads, bridges, ports, airports, water systems, broadband, and much more. What I learned is that implementation—the unglamorous work of turning legislation into real projects that improve people's lives—is absolutely critical."

Buttigieg: "I also learned that when government delivers tangible benefits that people can see and touch, it helps rebuild trust. When I visited communities across America that were getting new bridges, expanded transit service, or cleaner water because of these investments, I saw how it changed people's perceptions of what government can do."

Buttigieg: "Another lesson is that public investment can be a powerful tool for advancing equity and fighting climate change, but it requires intentional design and implementation. We prioritized projects that would connect historically disadvantaged communities to opportunity, reduce emissions, and build resilience to climate impacts."

Buttigieg: "Finally, I learned that effective governance requires balancing multiple goals—efficiency, equity, environmental protection, economic growth—and making tough tradeoffs when these goals conflict. It's not always easy, but it's essential for making progress on our most pressing challenges."

Dr. Bennett: "You've emphasized the importance of Democrats reaching voters beyond traditional strongholds. How do you think the Democratic Party can better connect with rural voters, working-class voters, and others who may have drifted away from the party in recent years?"

Buttigieg: "I think the most important thing is that we connect everything we believe, everything we say, everything we do to everyday life. I'm convinced that the only reason politics is worth being involved in is because of how every decision that happens in a big white building in Washington DC finds its way into our everyday lives. And nobody knows that better than people who have been sent into war on the orders of people who sit in those big white buildings."

Buttigieg: "But we've got to show that we're about that and not about what seem like incredibly abstract things. We've got to meet people where they are and have a different message. Look, I considered it important to make clear some things that were going right in the economy, for example, but there were a lot of things that weren't this last time around. And if somebody's upset—anybody who's ever been married knows if someone you love is upset and your response is 'You shouldn't be upset, you should be happy actually'—anybody ever try that? How'd that go over? That does not meet people where they are. People are upset for a reason, and we've got to have that dialogue."

Audience Member: "I always consider the Democratic Party the party of inclusivity. We cover and stand for a lot of marginalized groups, underserved groups. But I think we're missing a group—my best job I ever had is as a mom, and I have a 21-year-old son, and there's this group of white young men between 18 and 25 who we are not reaching. How do we get that group of young men to feel like they belong to the Democratic Party?"

Buttigieg: "At risk of sounding obvious, step one is talk to them. Those conversations need to happen, and a lot of them are online. When I taught at the University of Chicago this spring, I'd always do a show of hands with the students and ask them where they got their information. I asked how many of them get their news by watching television, and almost none raised their hands. The information ecosystem has changed dramatically, and we need to be present in these digital spaces where young people are forming their views."

Buttigieg: "But we also need to speak to how everyday life is going to be different based on policy choices. If politics just looks like a show or a game, then people go with whoever's cooler, whoever looks like they have more swagger. That's what happens when you reduce politics to a kind of death match. We need to do better than that."

Buttigieg: "We have to have that conversation and have something to offer besides just 'these guys are no good'—even though, to be clear, these guys are no good. But that can't be our only message."

Dr. Bennett: "There's been a lot of discussion about the future of the Democratic Party after the 2024 election. What do you think the party needs to do differently to be successful going forward?"

Buttigieg: "There's this theory out there that if we just kind of hang back and don't do much, then the people in charge today will screw it up, and then they'll get blamed for it, and then we'll win. I disagree with that approach."

Buttigieg: "First of all, while I agree that they will screw it up, I disagree that we should let them. And I also disagree that they will be blamed for it. They may not be good at governing, but they are really good at allocating blame."

Buttigieg: "While I think we do need to revisit some of the things that we have had to say policy-wise that haven't kept up with the times as a party, that doesn't mean ever throwing vulnerable people under the bus. Americans may have questions about how to make sure sports are safe and fair, which I understand, but Americans also understand that your gender identity shouldn't affect whether you get to vote."

Buttigieg: "We've got to be strong in our values, strong in our opposition, and equally strong in what it is we are proposing to do next, which I think is the part that seems to come hardest to us right now. I see this whole debate in my party that's all about 'well, it's all about him, it's all about how much to accommodate him or how to oppose him,' and I get it—it's very much something that consumes our attention. But we need to be a little more in touch with our first principles and what we would do if he never got into politics. What would we be doing if we were in charge? That's what people need to know."

Dr. Bennett: "Secretary Buttigieg, there's been a lot of speculation about your future political plans. You've been traveling the country, appearing on podcasts, and recently held a town hall in Iowa. What are your ambitions for the future, and how do you hope to contribute to America's political landscape in the coming years?"

Buttigieg: "I want to be useful. That's always been my North Star in deciding what to do next. Whether as mayor, as a candidate, as a cabinet secretary, or in my current role as a private citizen, I've tried to ask: Where can I make the biggest positive difference?"

Buttigieg: "Right now, I believe one of the most important things I can do is help articulate a vision for the country that speaks to the moment we're in—a vision that emphasizes the core values of freedom, security, and democracy that I've talked about tonight."

Buttigieg: "I also think it's important to help build the next generation of leadership for the Democratic Party and for the country. That means mentoring young leaders, supporting candidates who share these values, and yes, considering what role I might play myself in the future."

Buttigieg: "As for 2028 or other specific roles, I'm not making any announcements tonight. But I am committed to being part of the conversation about America's future and doing everything I can to ensure that we can look back on the 2020s with pride rather than regret."

Dr. Bennett: "What do you hope your legacy will be? How would you like to be remembered in American political history?"

Buttigieg: "I hope to be remembered as someone who helped restore trust in our democracy and in each other. I hope to be remembered as someone who helped Americans see that we have more in common than what divides us, while never shying away from the hard truths about the work we still need to do to create a more just and equitable society."

Buttigieg: "I hope to be remembered as someone who helped bridge divides—between rural and urban America, between different generations, between people of different backgrounds and beliefs. And I hope to be remembered as someone who helped create a politics focused not on personalities or grievances but on how policy choices affect people's everyday lives."

Buttigieg: "But mostly, I hope to be remembered by my children as a good father who did his best to leave them a country and a world better than he found it. When my kids look back on the 2020s, I want them to say, 'That's when we stood up, we spoke up, we came together, and that's why our lives are better.'"

Audience Member: "As a mother of a child with disabilities, I'm curious about how we as a nation can better include the disability community when it comes to policy. They're often an afterthought. What can you do, and what can we do, to fight for the rights of not only my son but everybody with disabilities?"

Buttigieg: "Thank you for standing up for your son. This is another example of a test of who we are as a country. One of the things I'm proudest of that we did during my time in transportation was implementing a rule to make sure that airlines had to treat passengers with disabilities better, including wheelchair handling."

Buttigieg: "As you know, Americans with disabilities are the biggest category of Americans recognized by civil rights legislation. And when we do right by people with disabilities, that doesn't just benefit a disabled American—it benefits the community, the country, the family. Whether it's transportation, making sure that the conference or the wedding that somebody couldn't go to if they were unable to go because of some barrier, making sure they can contribute, or whether it's just making sure we're the kind of community where everybody has a place and has belonging. That makes everybody better off."

Buttigieg: "Plus, and this is something that gets too often overlooked, a great many Americans who aren't part of the disability community today will be. So many of us will age into disability. So we're doing right by everybody when we do better."

Buttigieg: "I've been troubled by what I've seen, including the new administration looking ready to roll back some of the work that we did, airlines that responded to the wheelchair rule by suing. But I know that this is something that Americans understand, because the other thing about the disability community is it cuts across every category of geography and income and race."

Buttigieg: "And talk about folks who have a lot on the line if they throw people off CHIP or cut Medicaid or make it more difficult to get in-home care, let alone the accommodations out there in our transportation systems in our communities that, by the way, make it possible for so many disabled Americans to work as well as to live. It is the right thing to do, and it reflects well on us."

Dr. Bennett: "Let's bring up another audience question."

Audience Member: "Secretary Buttigieg, I wanted to ask about your views on immigration and border security. This has become such a divisive issue, and I'd like to understand your perspective on how we can balance security concerns with humanitarian values."

Buttigieg: "Immigration is fundamental to the American story—it's my story, too, since my father came to this country from Malta. We are a nation of immigrants, and our diversity has always been one of our greatest strengths."

Buttigieg: "That said, I believe that like any sovereign nation, we need secure borders and an orderly immigration system. The challenge is designing a system that provides security while also upholding our humanitarian values and economic interests."

Buttigieg: "I believe we need comprehensive immigration reform that includes several elements: a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have been contributing to our society, especially DREAMers; modernized security at the border that uses technology effectively; reformed and expanded legal immigration pathways, including family reunification and employment-based immigration; and addressing root causes of migration in Central America and elsewhere."

Buttigieg: "What troubles me about the current administration's approach is not just the cruelty of policies like family separation or mass deportation, but the fundamental disregard for due process and constitutional rights. When I visited states like Nebraska—which is not exactly a liberal stronghold—people told me, 'We hate the fact that people aren't getting due process in this country. We hate the fact that they're violating the Constitution.' This is about patriotism—the first thing about patriotism is standing up for the Constitution of the United States of America."

Buttigieg: "So yes, we need secure borders, but we also need immigration policies that respect human dignity and constitutional rights. This isn't about having it both ways—it's about rejecting false choices. We can have both secure borders and humane policies."

Dr. Bennett: "Let's shift to foreign policy. How do you view America's role in the world, particularly in an era of rising authoritarianism and challenges to the international order?"

Buttigieg: "American leadership in the world is indispensable, but it needs to be exercised differently than it has been in recent decades. We need to lead not just militarily but morally, economically, and diplomatically. And we need to lead not through domination but through partnership."

Buttigieg: "I believe America must stand for democracy and human rights globally, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it serves our interests. Democracies make better allies and trading partners than authoritarian regimes."

Buttigieg: "But we also need to be realistic about the limits of American power and the costs of military intervention. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan taught us painful lessons about the unintended consequences of military action, even when undertaken with good intentions."

Buttigieg: "I also believe that our foreign policy needs to be more directly connected to the lives of Americans at home. Foreign policy isn't something that just happens in faraway places—it affects jobs, security, and opportunities here at home. That's why I've advocated for a foreign policy that prioritizes the interests of America's middle class."

Audience Member: "What about specific issues like the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East? How would you approach these complex conflicts?"

Buttigieg: "These conflicts illustrate the complexity of today's geopolitical landscape. In Ukraine, we're seeing a clear case of Russian aggression against a sovereign, democratic neighbor. Supporting Ukraine isn't just about standing up for democratic values; it's about preventing a world where might makes right and powerful countries can simply redraw borders by force."

Buttigieg: "In the Middle East, we're dealing with layers of historical conflict, humanitarian crises, and security concerns. I believe strongly in Israel's right to exist in peace and security, just as I believe in the right of Palestinians to self-determination and dignity. The path to lasting peace has to include both Israelis and Palestinians being able to live in their own states with security, recognition, and dignity."

Buttigieg: "In both cases, American leadership is essential—not to impose solutions, but to help create conditions where political solutions become possible. And in both cases, we need to ensure that our policies reflect not just our strategic interests but our humanitarian values and commitment to human rights."

Dr. Bennett: "You mentioned the war in Afghanistan earlier. As a veteran who served there, how do you reflect on America's longest war and its end in 2021?"

Buttigieg: "Afghanistan represents a profound tragedy and a complex moral reckoning for our country. I deployed there believing in the mission, and I still believe that the original purpose—to dismantle Al-Qaeda after 9/11—was justified."

Buttigieg: "But over time, the mission expanded, and we found ourselves in a 20-year nation-building effort that ultimately could not succeed without a level of commitment that the American people were not prepared to make indefinitely."

Buttigieg: "The end of the war was painful to watch, especially for those of us who served there and for the Afghans who worked alongside us. These Afghans put their lives and their families' lives on the line to stand with us. They lived in villages and places where they could be killed just for being suspected of having cooperated or sometimes talked to an American. And a lot of us who were deployed couldn't have done our jobs without them."

Buttigieg: "That's why I've been deeply troubled by the current administration's approach to Afghan refugees. The idea that you just kick them out—these vetted individuals who risked everything to help America—that's not only morally wrong but also strategically short-sighted. It's about integrity—the integrity of a country that must see to it that we keep our promises. It's about security—ensuring that whenever we ask someone to put their life on the line for us, they believe us when we say we will have their back."

Buttigieg: "As we reflect on Afghanistan and other foreign policy challenges, we need to be honest about our successes and failures, realistic about the limits of American power, and clear-eyed about the costs of both action and inaction."

Dr. Bennett: "Climate change represents one of the greatest challenges of our time. How do you approach this issue, and what policies would you prioritize to address it?"

Buttigieg: "Climate change is not just an environmental issue—it's a security issue, an economic issue, a health issue, and fundamentally a moral issue about our responsibility to future generations. The science is clear, and the urgency is undeniable."

Buttigieg: "When I ran for president, I proposed a comprehensive climate plan that would achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest, with interim targets to ensure we're on track. I still believe in that overall framework, with a few key elements:"

Buttigieg: "First, we need to accelerate the transition to clean energy through both regulations and market incentives. This includes a price on carbon that returns revenue directly to Americans, clean energy standards, and investments in research and deployment of renewable energy, energy storage, and other clean technologies."

Buttigieg: "Second, we need to transform our transportation system, which is now the largest source of emissions in the U.S. That means investing in public transit, walking and biking infrastructure, and electric vehicles. As Transportation Secretary, I worked to implement the largest-ever federal investment in EV charging infrastructure."

Buttigieg: "Third, we need to make our communities more resilient to the climate impacts that are already happening. That means updating infrastructure standards, supporting climate-smart agriculture, protecting natural carbon sinks like forests and wetlands, and ensuring that vulnerable communities have the resources they need to adapt."

Buttigieg: "And fourth, we need to lead internationally, not just rejoining the Paris Agreement but pushing for more ambitious global action and supporting developing countries in their transition to clean energy."

Buttigieg: "But perhaps most importantly, we need to change the politics of climate change. This shouldn't be a partisan issue. I've found that when you talk about climate change in terms of the lived experiences of Americans—farmers facing unprecedented flooding, coastal communities dealing with rising seas, families suffering from air pollution—you can find common ground even with those who might be skeptical of climate science."

Audience Member: "How do we balance environmental concerns with the need for economic growth and jobs, especially in regions dependent on fossil fuel industries?"

Buttigieg: "This is a crucial question. I reject the idea that we have to choose between environmental protection and economic prosperity. In fact, the clean energy transition represents one of the greatest economic opportunities of our time."

Buttigieg: "But that doesn't mean the transition won't be difficult for some communities and workers, particularly those that have depended on fossil fuel industries. That's why any serious climate plan needs to include support for affected workers and communities—not just hollow promises, but real investments in economic diversification, workforce development, environmental remediation, and ensuring benefits like healthcare and pensions are protected."

Buttigieg: "I think about places like coal country in West Virginia or oil and gas communities in Texas and Oklahoma. These regions powered America's growth for generations, and we owe them more than just being told their livelihoods are obsolete. We need to ensure they're part of the clean energy future, whether through new industries, manufacturing of clean energy components, or other economic opportunities."

Buttigieg: "The clean energy transition can create millions of good-paying jobs across America, but only if we're intentional about ensuring those benefits are widely shared."

Dr. Bennett: "Education has long been seen as a pathway to opportunity in America, yet access to quality education remains unequal, and the cost of higher education has skyrocketed. How do you think about education policy, from early childhood through college and beyond?"

Buttigieg: "Education is fundamental to both individual opportunity and our collective prosperity. I believe we need to strengthen our public education system at every level, from early childhood through higher education and lifelong learning."

Buttigieg: "Starting with early childhood, we know that investments in high-quality pre-K and childcare yield enormous returns in terms of educational outcomes, economic mobility, and even reduced crime. That's why I've advocated for universal pre-K and affordable childcare for all families."

Buttigieg: "For K-12 education, we need to address persistent inequities in funding and resources. The quality of a child's education shouldn't depend on their zip code or their parents' income. This means increasing federal funding for Title I schools, supporting teacher pay and professional development, and ensuring all schools have the resources they need to provide a world-class education."

Buttigieg: "When it comes to higher education, we need to make college more affordable and ensure that debt doesn't prevent graduates from pursuing their dreams. I've proposed making public colleges and universities tuition-free for families earning up to $100,000 and expanding Pell Grants for lower-income students."

Buttigieg: "But I also believe we need to respect and support multiple pathways to a good life, not just four-year college. That means investing in community colleges, apprenticeships, and other forms of career and technical education. Some of the best-paying jobs in our economy don't require a bachelor's degree but do require specialized training."

Buttigieg: "Finally, in an era of rapid technological change, we need to support lifelong learning and career transitions. This could include things like portable training accounts that workers can use throughout their careers and partnerships between employers, educational institutions, and government to create accessible upskilling opportunities."

Audience Member: "There's been a lot of debate about school choice, charter schools, and the role of private education. Where do you stand on these issues?"

Buttigieg: "The separation of church and state is a foundational principle of our republic. Our country was founded by people who decided they didn't want to have to live subject to somebody else's interpretation of his own religion. They were, by the way, religious people, but they didn't want to live by somebody else's religion, and they did not seek to impose theirs through the mechanisms and machinery of government on anybody else."

Buttigieg: "Public schools are, speaking of democracy, subject to the decisions of a school board that you get to vote people onto or off of. It's part of a democratic process, as should be everything that we pay for with our taxpayer dollars."

Buttigieg: "I say that as somebody who appreciates religious education. I've benefited from religious education—I went to St. Joseph's High School, the Catholic high school in South Bend, Indiana. I got a great education there. But my family never expected for one minute that our neighbor on Marquette Avenue would have to pay for it."

Buttigieg: "So while I believe parents should have options, I don't support diverting public funding to private schools through vouchers. Instead, I think we should focus on strengthening our public education system so that every school provides an excellent education."

Buttigieg: "As for charter schools, I believe they can play a positive role when they're held to high standards, are integrated with the broader public school system, and don't drain resources from traditional public schools. But they're not a silver bullet, and they work best when they're seen as laboratories for innovation within public education, not as replacements for traditional schools."

Dr. Bennett: "Healthcare remains one of the most contentious policy areas in American politics. You've advocated for what you call 'Medicare for All Who Want It.' Can you elaborate on your approach to healthcare reform?"

Buttigieg: "Healthcare is a human right, and every American should have access to quality, affordable healthcare. But I also believe we need a pragmatic approach that meets people where they are and builds on what works in our current system."

Buttigieg: "That's why I've advocated for Medicare for All Who Want It—a public option that would provide a Medicare-type plan to anyone who wants it, while allowing those who prefer their private insurance to keep it. This creates a pathway to Medicare for All if that's what the American people truly want, but it doesn't force anyone to give up insurance they like."

Buttigieg: "Beyond coverage, we need to address the underlying cost drivers in our healthcare system. This includes allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, increasing price transparency, investing in preventive care and public health, addressing social determinants of health, and reforming provider payment to reward value rather than volume."

Buttigieg: "We also need to strengthen mental healthcare, which has been neglected for too long. Every American should have access to mental health services without stigma or financial barriers."

Buttigieg: "And we need to ensure rural communities have access to care, which means addressing hospital closures, expanding telehealth, and supporting the training and recruitment of healthcare providers in underserved areas."

Audience Member: "What about the concerns of veterans with accessing healthcare through the VA system? There have been proposals to cut staff at the VA—what would your approach be?"

Buttigieg: "The services that the VA provides aren't a gift or a favor—they're America's way of keeping a promise to those who kept their promise to serve. The least we could do is make sure it's actually possible to avail yourself of those services."

Buttigieg: "Cutting 80,000 people will plain and simple make it harder for the VA to execute its incredibly important mission. The demand for VA services is rising, in part because of the PACT Act, which ensures that veterans exposed to burn pits are presumptively covered. This was the right thing to do, and I was deeply moved to be present when President Biden signed that legislation."

Buttigieg: "We know that every day, 18 veterans die by suicide. The VA has been working to address this crisis through the Veterans Crisis Line and other mental health services. Cutting staff who provide these vital services is not just inefficient—it's cruel and potentially deadly."

Buttigieg: "We need to strengthen the VA, not weaken it—investing in facilities, technology, and most importantly, the people who care for our veterans. And we need to ensure that care is accessible to all veterans, regardless of where they live or their discharge status."

Dr. Bennett: "As we near the end of our time, I'd like to ask you to reflect on the broader trajectory of our country. Despite the challenges we face, what gives you hope for America's future?"

Buttigieg: "What gives me hope is the character of the American people—our resilience, our creativity, our capacity for growth and renewal. I've seen it in communities across this country, including my hometown of South Bend, which was once called a 'dying city' but has found new life and purpose."

Buttigieg: "I see it in young people like the 19-year-old who spoke earlier about wanting to have kids but being concerned about the future. That concern itself reflects a sense of responsibility for future generations that is fundamentally hopeful."

Buttigieg: "I know it can feel like a complicated or even bleak time, but our country has been through some tough periods before. I had the great honor of getting to know John Lewis before he passed away. I wonder sometimes what he would think of this moment, but what I know is that when we talk about political violence and illegal behavior by people in positions of power, that would not come as novel to him. That has happened before, and what is best about America is that we've actually been able to face that down as a country—not perfectly and not always, but more often than not."

Buttigieg: "I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe that we're not just going to save our values in this country, but that the future can actually be better than the present—that it has to be. I really believe that."

Buttigieg: "I used to tell my parents that I envied them being young in the '60s because it looked pretty fun—the music, the culture, the protests. But after hearing me say that one too many times, my mom sat me down and said it was terrible. People they looked up to were getting assassinated, their friends were being sent to the Vietnam War, they didn't know what was going to happen to our country."

Buttigieg: "We romanticize that period now because we know that some amazing things emerged from it. We know that in so many of the most important struggles of that moment, we were as a country able to beat back some of our worst demons. And I think the 2020s might be like that."

Buttigieg: "I envision a conversation where I'm talking to my kids when they're old enough to say, 'What were you doing in the 2020s?' And I want to say, 'We stood up, we spoke up, we came together, and that's why your life is better.' We have to make that happen."

Dr. Bennett: "Secretary Buttigieg, thank you for this thoughtful conversation. You've given us much to consider about trust in democracy, the importance of freedom correctly understood, and the path forward for our country."

Buttigieg: "Thank you, Dr. Bennett, and thank you to everyone at the University of Michigan for hosting this discussion. The one thing that I see both in the ethos of veterans and in the culture of the Midwest—I'd like to think in universal American culture, but definitely in the Midwest—is this determination to stand up for each other."

Buttigieg: "Whether it's the teachings of my faith that whatever you do for the least among us is how you make yourself useful, is the very stuff of salvation, or whether it is the democratic principle that everyone has an equal vote no matter your wealth or your standing or your story, or the good old-fashioned Midwestern idea that you're not better than anyone, we're all in this together—that's what I think we are about."

Buttigieg: "I wouldn't be here with you if I didn't believe that we can live up to that in our time. And through the work that we do—not just election stuff and campaign stuff, but in this very moment at this town hall and the conversations we're all going to have as we leave here—we will put ourselves in a position to look back on the 2020s with pride rather than regret. So thank you for being part of that, and I look forward to all of the good work we'll do together in the years ahead."

Buttigieg: "AI is going to create so much value and so much wealth that if we get it right, everybody could wind up better off. We could really realistically see a future where there is a shorter work week and more money in your pockets. But that won't happen on its own—that requires people in charge who are ready to insist that this doesn't just lead to preposterous levels of inequality and wealth for a tiny handful of people but actually benefits us all."

Buttigieg: "On privacy, I believe Americans deserve much stronger protections than they currently have. In Europe, privacy is treated as a fundamental right. Here, we've largely left it to companies to set their own policies, with predictably problematic results. We need comprehensive federal privacy legislation that gives individuals real control over their data."

Buttigieg: "As for the power of big tech companies, I believe we need vigorous antitrust enforcement to ensure competition and innovation. When a handful of companies control so much of our digital infrastructure, it raises serious concerns about economic power and democratic values. Break-ups should be on the table for monopolistic practices that harm competition and consumers."

Audience Member: "Many young people are concerned about the future impact of automation and AI on jobs. How should we be preparing for these changes?"

Buttigieg: "This is one of the most important economic questions of our time. We need a comprehensive approach that includes several elements:"

Buttigieg: "First, education and training that prepares people not just for the jobs of today but for the ability to adapt throughout their careers. This means investing in everything from early childhood education to lifelong learning opportunities."

Buttigieg: "Second, a stronger safety net that supports people through transitions, including portable benefits that aren't tied to a specific employer, universal healthcare, and potentially some form of universal basic income to ensure everyone has their basic needs met regardless of technological disruption."

Buttigieg: "Third, policies that ensure the gains from automation and AI are shared broadly—whether through profit-sharing, employee ownership, or other mechanisms that give workers a stake in technological progress."

Buttigieg: "And fourth, a renewed emphasis on the kinds of work that machines can't do well—the caring professions, creative work, and other areas where human connection and judgment remain essential."

Buttigieg: "This isn't just about mitigating harm—it's about actively shaping technological change to serve human flourishing. The goal shouldn't be to resist automation but to ensure it liberates people rather than immiserating them."